Manchester United sign Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens

WEB DESK: Manchester United have completed the signing of Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp for €21 million (£18.1m) plus add-ons, handing the 23-year-old a five-year contract at Old Trafford.

Lammens, who has represented Belgium at youth levels but is yet to earn a senior cap, described the move as “a dream come true,” adding that his journey through Belgian football had led to “an incredible destination” and the hope of building “something special” at United.

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Since joining Antwerp from Club Brugge in 2023, Lammens has made 64 appearances and played a key role in their 2023 Belgian Super Cup triumph. His performances earned him a first senior national team call-up earlier this year, though he was not included in Belgium’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

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United’s football director Jason Wilcox praised Lammens as “an excellent young goalkeeper with great potential,” stressing that he had chosen Old Trafford despite interest from several European clubs.

The signing comes amid continued struggles in United’s goalkeeping department. Last season’s first-choice Andre Onana and deputy Altay Bayindir both came under heavy criticism for costly errors, while veteran Tom Heaton, now 39, has not featured since February 2023. Lammens’ arrival has also prompted United to drop their pursuit of Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who had been considered a more experienced option.

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Statistically, Lammens enjoyed an outstanding campaign in Belgium last season. He made 173 saves, 20 more than any goalkeeper in Europe’s top 10 leagues, and prevented 18.4 goals above expectation, according to Opta data. He also saved four penalties, the highest tally across Europe’s elite competitions.

Belgian journalist Axel Brisart described him as one of the country’s most exciting goalkeeping talents, highlighting his shot-stopping reflexes, proactive style, and ability with the ball at his feet. While acknowledging that his decision-making on high balls still requires refinement, Brisart believes Lammens has the confidence and maturity to eventually establish himself as United’s number one, though the pressure at Old Trafford will be unlike anything he has experienced before.

BBC Sport analyst Jordan Butler noted that Lammens’ numbers outperformed those of Onana last season and suggested that his arrival could have an immediate impact. With United looking to stabilise defensively, the Belgian’s profile as a fearless shot-stopper offers a bold but potentially transformative solution.